I remember reading somewhere, or hearing somewhere, in fact a few times, that the literacy rates of the people in the US right before public education (early 1900’s) was higher than it is today in 2010. Where can I find this statistic? Thank you.
In The Transofmration of the American Economy, Robert Higgs touches upon the subject,
In 1870 about 90 percent of adult white Americans could read and write; by 1910, 95 percent possessed these basic skills. For obvious reasons, literacy was much less prevalent among the nonwhite population - predominately blacks - but improvement was rapid. In 1870 only about 20 percent of the adult nonwhite population was literate; by 1910 the proportion had increased to 70 percent. (p. 34.)
The determining issue was the increase in leisure hours, made possible by the vast improvement in productivity between 1879 and 1910.
This post reminded me that I once read an exam paper from somewhere around 1900, possibly for 14-year-olds. The questions were on a variety of subjects - English, maths, science, literature, history, geography, etc. And they were very very difficult, relative to the paper I took at 14. I wish I could find that again but my Google skills have let me down on this one.
I can’t help you with the statistic I’m afraid. I actually doubt that its true. (If literacy is higher now though, it would be DESPITE public education, not because of it). What is the literacy rate today? 99% (if you believe the UN)?
A literacy-rate of 95% is really great. Unfortunately I did not find any current “real” data. But I will use this number in debates in favor of a more unregulated system.
The best statistic is that of nonwhite literacy. I don’t think nonwhites formed part of the public education system until late into the 20th Century, but I’m not sure.
Not to throw a wrench in, or make anyone work extra hard, but did the definition of literacy change? I know some statistics use a holistic and/or functional definition of literacy. Math literacy, ability to follow directions.
Truelib: is this the test?
It was in Massachusetts that literacy went down.
It’s meaningless though because what the state defines as educated is a worthless standard.
@trulib: is this the site you’re looking for? http://www.anthoniowa.com/school.html
(hint: I googled “high school exam 1900” 
I don’t view a decline in literacy as the fault of public education per se. I see it as having more to do with the welfare state removing the incentive for people to improve their skills.
Yep, that’s the one. Thanks B-man and MPP. What do you think of those questions, compared to what we see today?
I know this isn’t directly involoved with literacy, but in my Chem lab today, we were told [paraphrasing] getting the right answer is unimportant, its the PROCESS that matters..
though learning was to learn the RIGHT way, especially in a science like chemistry…
He sounds like an idiot, assuming you didn’t mess something up in the translation. The right way is the way that gets the right answer. Of course, being right is important. That is reason for engaging in the process.
He sounds like an idiot, assuming you didn’t mess something up in the translation. The right way is the way that gets the right answer. Of course, being right is important. That is reason for engaging in the process.
No, I asked the GSA and Department head directly because they seemed to be heading down that path, as they said we need this discloser for NSF money, and we’re emmulating the Biology department, and said, close as I can get, “So the right answer is unimportant, so long as we try hard and use the correct methods?” and they said yes, and that was even how it was on their powerpoint to Gen Chem 1 Lab
Edit: I should mention I am an Mech Engineering Student, so the “right” answer for me is the one that satisfies the pre-established criteria, and does not break, the best one is the one that meets said criteria at the lowest cost… bridges/robots don’t work right if you failed at what your doing, because you “tried hard” and used the right concepts
A good book on education and its history is Governement Failure E G West on Education
Sieben,
I’ve read in other places that In the 19th century simply being able to sign one’s name was a big deal and proof of literacy. The definition of literacy, however, is and has been for obvious reasons somewhat subjective. Nevertheless, I get the impression (but don’t quote me on this) that the definition of literacy put forth by the UN and how it would have been measured in the 19th century are essentially the same, or at least there are no differences that would significantly skew any measurements of literacy rates.
Whoever wrote that quotation is illiterate.
Anyway, just bringing up the definition because I recalled that under a “functional” definition of literacy, only like half of americans were literate.
Apropos of nothing, the best education system I’ve ever been a part of was the most public, statist type institution you can think of: the U.S. Military. The quality of my tech school education was head and shoulders above anything I’d had before or since. No comparisons. I remember it to this day. You were tested continuously every day, probably five times a day. If you failed more than one of these tests, you reported to the Sgt. after class and corrective steps were prescribed to make you work/study harder. Your classmates were also aware and they’d put pressure on you, mostly encouragement, but wanting to avoid public embarrassment added its own pressure not to slack off. During class, if you were tired, you had better not fall asleep. You had to stand at your desk. Not only did you take tests daily, but your instructors were graded too. If too many students missed the same question, it was the teacher who had to answer to his boss.
I have to admit it was the most effective educational system I’ve ever seen. Surprises most people when I tell them, but it’s the truth. Doesn’t mean I support public education or anything, just saying for the sake of saying, I guess.
Sounds awful. I don’t need anyone to encourage me to get me to want to learn about things, so I definitely don’t need people constantly and aggressively harassing me to get me learn about things.
It was the military, bro, not a large University where you can walk out five minutes into the lecture. Plus, it’s your job, so you’re getting paid to learn. I actually look back on that time fondly. I had a blast. And I like the idea of having the instructor’s interests aligned with the student’s.